Means what she says
Lady Top freshman leads by example, through faith
As a point guard, Western Kentucky incoming freshman Chaney Means knows all about the importance of leading by example. But for Means, leadership isn’t limited just to basketball. Means balances her competitive drive on the court with a desire to be a role model off the floor - serving as an example of how to live life to the fullest. It’s a blend of competitiveness and faith that drives Means, and the former high school star from Greater Atlanta Christian is determined to take it to the next level with the Lady Toppers.
“I think one of the first things I wanted to do when I got here was find good Christian friends and get involved with the community,” Means said. “It’s something that is a huge part of my life. I’ve always said that, like (her favorite athlete, former Florida Gator quarterback) Tim Tebow, I have a platform to show my faith. I want to do my best to represent Christ on the court. You can be a fierce competitor and still play with class and how God would bring honor to his name.”
Means earned a reputation as a hard-nosed player who relishes competition. But Means admits she has a competitive nature even off the floor.“We were playing spades (Wednesday) night with the team and, as soon as the cards came out, I had my game face on,” Means said. “I’m pretty quiet outside of basketball, but once I get on the court, I totally change. I think that is a good balance to have, though - to be a fierce competitor and a sweet girl that’s normal as well.”Means said finding a school that would allow her to strike that balance was among her priorities.“I was able to talk to (head coach Mary Taylor Cowles) from day one about my relationship with Christ,” Means said. “That is definitely an important thing for me. I eliminated some schools because I wanted people coaching me that I can respect with their family and how they live their life.
I think coach Cowles does a great job with that and is just a good role model for me.”Cowles said Means’ competitive nature impressed the WKU coaching staff during the recruiting process.“She is a coach on the floor,” Cowles said. “She is a coach’s child and I think we’ve all seen those kids that have grown up in a gym and been around it all the time. It’s unbelievable how much she understands the game. That comes from playing it a lot, watching it a lot, just being around it a lot. She has such a deep-rooted passion for the game of basketball.”Meanwhile, the Lady Topper staff was also impressed by how Means handled herself off the floor.“She is a coach’s dream, a parent’s dream, a mother’s dream,” Cowles said. “She’s just a beautiful young lady that represents everything you want from a coaching staff standpoint. She understands the academic side of the college experience and has that true balance of student/athlete. I think I can say that as a blanket statement across the board with this freshman class.”Means enjoyed plenty of success at Atlanta Christian. She was an All-State player since her sophomore season and had scored more than 1,000 career points after her junior year. But she said she is always looking to refine her craft.“Being smart and thinking the game is just as important as all the other stuff,” Means said.
“That’s a cool thing to do - be able to think the game. It’s one thing that I want to get better on, too - thinking the game all the time. I think that takes you to the next level and makes you a really good player, even if you’re a freshman.”Means said she’s hit the ground running at WKU, enjoying her brief time on the Hill and immediately bonding with fellow freshmen Mimi Hill and Ellen Sholtes.“It’s been great so far,” Means said. “It’s been good getting to know (everyone). I just like the schedule and routine. Starting the workouts is fun. It’s hard, but it is good. I think we’re getting better. Right now, I’m just going to figure out everybody’s strengths and weaknesses and get that chemistry. As a point guard, that is really important.”And Means is hopeful the hard work will lead to playing time in the 2010-11 season.“That was one thing I really liked about Western - the opportunity to play from day one,” Means said. “I’m excited about it and I’m up for the challenge. I really want to play and get some playing time and help the team any way I can.”
